Abstract: Coal is extracted in a longwall working with two subsidiary galleries disposed respectively at the ends of the longwall coal-face. The coal is obtained at the longwall face, is loaded and removed with the aid of a continuous conveyor acting as a longwall-heading conveyor which delivers into one of the subsidiary galleries. In order to extract the coal a plurality of long drill-holes, respectively spaced from the coal-face and from each other by a spacing which corresponds to the effective force of an explosive charge provided with a fuse-cord, are bored in the coal starting from one of the subsidiary galleries. Each of the drill-holes extends the full effective length of the coal face and is loaded with such an explosive charge, and then filled with water under pressure. The charges are exploded in succession, starting with the drill-hole adjacent the coal-face, whereupon the coal so acquired is loaded and removed by the continuous conveyor.